So far away

I can recall a time when I was returning home from dropping off my daughter at camp. It was her 3rd year, and I had already made it past the complicated twists and turns coming from the mountainous area that was the camp site. I was back onto the main highway, but distracted by exhaustion and conversation... On a path common, but tired and talking... Needless to say, somehow, missing my split to head towards my town, headed nearly an hourly past where I should have been... I should have been minutes from my home, but instead, managed to be much closer to a different state line, much less the city where I belonged.

How many times have we been distracted by exhaustion, exhausted and trapped by mindless conversation, activities, or attitudes that lead to nowhere... or even worse, lead you in the completely wrong direction, so far off course that it takes a complete "about face" redirecting turn around to put you back on the right path.

If you find yourself in too many life changing moments of headed in the wrong direction, it may be time to put your filter up... get focused... and have a come to JESUS moment and  recalibrate your order.

Matthew 6:33King James Version (KJV)

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

the  Message puts it this way...

Matthew 6:33The Message (MSG)

30-33 “If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

Seek Him with all your HEART... so you don't find yourself miles from what God has for you... His path for you is peace, that will never operate in exhaustion, confusion, idol chit chat, or activities that waste your time... 

Be grateful...

Do you have anything to be grateful about? Has God done anything for you that you know was a miraculous wonder? It may sound like the beginning of a testimonial Wednesday night services... but do we have to be at church and wait for an invitation to give God His props...

This week I have a special praise report... One that on paper does NOT sound like it is worth a praise. But looking at things outside the box, realizing it could have gone very different had I not been in tune with what kept ringing in my ears...

 [SN: for those of you who swear out you have never heard God speak... ever been at a stop sign... had a "feeling" that you needed to go down a different road... leave the house, and think... something isn't right, and go back to realize you left something on, or hadn't lowered the garage door, or didn't lock the door... or about to enter the highway, and think, let me take an alternate route... only to realize you avoided a bad accident, or major traffic... Getting ready to turn in a project, and you think... let me look over this one more time (despite the fact you've reviewed it 100 times already), only to find a major mistake that could have cost you... my point is, when you tune into that "something told me" "feeling" "gut instinct"... because He (God) created us, He lets us know when we need to do something that will keep us from danger, or improve our present state... and in most cases seem simple or ridiculous, but will be that basic thing that takes us to the next level!... More on this another time.]

I was with a friend who was checking on her financial aid for this last semester that we should have at school. The system had changed the semester we entered our program, and she and I started at the same time. Regulations emphasized actual classroom hrs instead of whether we were enrolled and attended class. This meant if you had financial aid that you were granted, or had applied for a loan, until the hours required for each semester were met, no funds could or would be released.

I had done my due diligence (so I thought)... I had applied for a scholarship early, met with my financial aid folks every 2 to 3 weeks to ensure I hadn't missed anything that needed to be done prior to my last semester, and I altered my schedule to go to class during the day and night to boost my hours needed. But I clearly heard God speak to me... go check on your financial aid... I've been checking on it... and looked online, I've met every guideline, crossed every T, dotted every I... but I didn't miss a beat, I made time and sat in the office. 

ShaneQua... you won't have what you need for school... Ah... school starts Monday... what will I need?... She goes on to explain the new system... and that despite all my EFFORTS... the best she could offer would be to come up with half of my tuition by Monday, and apply for a discretionary loan to cover the difference! Determined not to be discouraged... I told my friend who sat beside me, we were too close to the finish line... we know that God has already met this need, and that we just needed to relax.

That was Wednesday, school starts Monday... I was emotionally overwhelmed, but committed to the knowledge that  my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. [Philippians 4:19]

Thursday, I heard God speak to me again... check your mail (something I don't do daily, and have often skipped a week)... the only letter in the box... a letter from my school... congratulations, we have selected you for a scholarship in the amount that I needed to start school on Monday!!!

Never give up, no matter how discouraging your situation may become... Remember all that you have need of, God has ALREADY made provision for...

Be encouraged, the best is yet to come! Much love, ShaneQua

One week down...

As I come to the close of what has come to be a whirlwind of a week, I can't help but to look back over the week and think... "God, you are incredibly awesome, I wasn't sure I had that much push and drive in me."

On paper, this week was by far one of the messiest, craziest, and hectic ones in quite some time! Praising God because I know this is not a pattern... I, so often have done my due diligence to prepare for what I have told myself is my next biggest, greatest thing! HA... I have to truly laugh at myself  because this is not my doing... this is what makes this week hilarious!

6 transcripts, a financial aid package, outdated books, make shift notes, and floor time with a borrowed mannequin and borrowed tools, back and forth to past schools to pick up transcripts, tying out with the job, and oh yes, a teenage son who is entering school at the same time, and sending him to campus praying that he heeds my instruction, only to find out later that he is doing what most do -- not listening --  all of these things don't sound like the makings of an awesome week. But I made it through the week, and I didn't think I had half of that in me. The last words from the financial aid office... Ms. Pressley, congratulations, indeed you have met all requirements... you may get your books and pick up your kit!... Class was over, my teacher (who has to confirm that the bookstore has sold you a complete kit) has gone for the weekend, and wouldn't you know it... the bookstore closed at 1:30pm... it is 1:45pm!

Ironically I am relieved by all of this, knowing I can pick up next week where I left off! Knowing that my beginning will NOT be the same as the end... seeing my bright future, I sigh a sigh of great relief!

I implore, simply challenge, everyone that is bold enough to try something extreme, lend yourself to God's will (if the idea of this is simply terrifying, then I double dog dare ya to do it, it is truly the right thing to do)! This is the true challenge, because this forces you to get in His word, pray, and see what the Father intended for your life. His will for us will line up with His word, and supernaturally bless you. In a word, IT IS THE EXTREME FAITH WALK...

Malachi 3:7-9
 ⁷Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?

 ⁸Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. 

So often preachers use this scripture just before the encourage you to dig deep... but consider how we simply rob God when He has blessed us with a gifting, given us a charge to move forth, asked us to do something, and we let Him know, "thank you Father God for this special gift that I know not a sole knows of (with the exceptions being my household), but I will hide this because I don't trust in YOU or myself enough to watch what YOU do with it!" Hmmmm....something to chew on, what is the message that we send God when we don't trust enough in what He has already done!

Be encouraged, your best is yet to come! Much Love, Q

And the evening and the morning were the 1st day! Part 2

Genesis 1 ¹In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.   ²And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.   ³And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.   ⁴And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.   ⁵And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.

On paper my day was a hot mess... but God! Can i say He worked it all out for His glory! My car had issues from Monday night, again... I missed the auto spot, but it was a set up for the next day, I cannot thank God enough for not making it there before they closed.

Instead, I mapped out where the auto place was in conjunction to school. I had a peace about the situation, and knew God was speaking to me clearly, praise God for an ear to hear!

The location, directly across the street from the campus! The problem, slightly minor, I needed a new battery... no problem, right? "No ma'am," stated the clerk at Advance Auto... "we can't install your battery, it's located behind your wheel cover!"

Really Dodge  --- who does this???

So I go across the street to an unknown local mechanic, that quotes a price that seems reasonable, and praise God again for provision that I was just given the day before... but class begins shortly, soooooo.... I really don't have time. I take the car (again next door, everything is in walking distance) and head off to class.

Last week when I was to attend orientation, my car began this issue. Needless to say I had not even registered for class... but God's favor! I had spoken with the director of the program, and was told how to handle it. In fact, when I arrived, I was expected, and my seat was waiting for me!

Long story short, hours later, after a 5 time visit to financial aid, and many visits to the business office, and a visit to the coordinator of that campus on my behalf, I was told of the time frame I would have to get everything straightened out! My day was ordered by my Father, and if I had put my 2 sense in it, I would have been found either in the halls of the school, or in the parking lot in my car, crying my eyes out, thinking "oh God, I've made a mess of everything!"

His plan was perfection... lend yourself to Him, see what He does for you!

My day ended with a 2.5hr car fix that was ordered by the Most High Himself, not because I knew what to do, but again, because He provided provision! I purchased 2 batteries yesterday, returned one, and after last week, when I knew not one trust worthy mechanic, after these incidents, I now know 3! No more the victim, but now the Victor as I reign victorious through Him... knowing that I must...

Be encouraged, the best is yet to come! Much love, ShaneQua